Collapsible display device



April 1.952 L. J. LEVINSON ETAL 2,591,170

COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Nov. 21, 1945 SHEET SSHEET l INVENTORS 100/: J. LEV/NJON -r' AL FRED 51/5551.

- BY ATTORNEY April 1, 1952 L. J. LEVINSON ET AL 2,591,170 COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Nov. 21, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 J INVENTORS IOU/3 J. LEV/N50 ALFRED JHEBEL K E ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 1, 1952 2,591,170 COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE Louis J. Levinson and Alfred Shebel, New York, N. Y.

Application November 21, 1945, Serial No. 630,016

14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to display devices for all purposes and is particularly directed to a new and improved easel device for the display of various types of merchandise, sheet music, reading matter, photographs and the like.

The main object of the present invention is the provision of a unitary display rack of pleasing appearance which may be inexpensively fabricated from a single fiat sheet of material and which may be quickly set up for use in various locked positions and be readily collapsed flat and locked for easy carrying or storage.

Among the advantages to be realized with the use of the present invention is the ease with which the improved rack may be set up for use and be taken down and folded fiat for carrying or storage. It has many uses in the commercial field as a display rack for general merchandise, and also provides a convenient easel for pictures, mirrors and the like, as well as being especially convenient as a music rack or book stand.

When embodied in a construction of appropriate size and of suitable material, it is also useful as a place card per se, a place card holder, or a backing for desk calendars or the like.

Prior display devices comprised many and varishaped parts, cost more to manufacture, and many required more space for carrying or storing than does the improved rack of the present invention. The latter feature is important when, as for example, in the case of a merchandiser, it is necessary to store away a considerable number of such devices when they are not in use. Again. the flat-folding feature of the invention permits the device to be carried fiat in a portfolio, brief case or the like, along with sheet music, or books, for example, without taking up any appreciable space.

Application of the invention to place cards or the like provides an inexpensive, desirable novelty item which may be neatly packaged in quantity.

The improved rack may be inexpensively fabricated in any desired size from a single sheet of any flat, substantially rigid material such as heavy paper, cardboard, plywood, glass, metal, plastics or the like, and its component parts may be punched, sawed, cast, molded, or otherwise formed, depending upon the nature of the material from which they are to be made, thereby efiecting a saving in labor and material costs.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating the improved display rack folded flat and locked together for carrying or storage;

lapsed.

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front View, in perspective, of the device of Fig. 1, showing it opened and in a position for use;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 3, taken from the rear and to one side thereof;

Fig. 5 is a partial plan view of the device illus trated in Fig. 1, showing a modification of the invention applied thereto;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are front views, in perspective, of modifications of the invention as applied to place cards, desk calendars or the like, and

Figs. 6a, 7a and 8a are sectional views taken along the lines 6a6a, la-4a and 8a-8a of Figs. 6, 7 and 8, respectively.

. Referring now to the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of the drawings, 1 is a substantially rectangular flat piece of plastic, such as Lucite or other appropriate material having a triangular opening therein into which two substantially triangular sections 2 and 3 of the same or different material are adapted to fit, section 3 being within a triangular opening in section 2. The inner triangular section 3 is provided with spring-pressed pin hinges 5 and notches 1, near its apex, so that it may be swung Within the triangular opening in section 2. Triangular section 2 is provided With pin hinges 4 and notches 6, near its base to permit swinging it within the triangular opening in section I. Pins 8 are provided on the bottom edge of section 3 for insertion into slots I3 in section 2 when the rack is folded flat, and for insertion into countersunk holes 9 in the back of the upper central portion of section I when it is desired to lock the device in position for use. Detent and socket locking means l0 and H are provided respectively, at the positions where the middle lower edge of section 3 is adjacent section 2 and the apex of section 2 is adjacent section I, to lock all of the sections together when the rack is col- It is obvious, of course, that locking means I i may be dispensed with if the extending ends of pins 8 and slots 13 are so shaped that they coact to perform the function of locking means.

When it is desired to set the rack up for use. section 2 is swung back and section 3 is swung forward and both sections are rotated upon their respective pin hinges 4 and 5 until the lower face of section 2 protrudes beyond the front surface of section I to form a shelf or ledge l4, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and the upper end of section 3 is brought to rest on a surface common to the lever edge of section I, with the pins 8 adjacent a pair of the countersunk holes 9 in section I into which they may be placed to lock the rack in position for use.

Triangular section 3 acts as an easel support or prop permitting frame section I to be adjusted to difierent angles by slipping the pins 8 into different holes 9 on the back of section I.

When it is desired to collapse the rack, the reverse procedure is followed, viz. the pins 8 are removed from the holes 9 and sections 2 and 3 are swung until they lie in the same plane with section where they are locked together in fiat position by the locking means iii, and H or 8.

As stated heretofore, the display rack may be used in a plurality of positions, i. c. it may be placed with any of its three component sections I, 2 or 3 comprising the base portion thereof or it may, when opened, be placed on its side, to provide a support or backing for material on display.

If the rack is to be used for holding sheet music, books or like material, the lower face of section 2 may be provided with a line or lines of transverse scoring or grooves, as shown at l2 in Fig. 1, to more securely hold such material in position for use, but the use of such scoring is optional.

When it is desired to utilize the device of the present invention as an easel for photographs; mirrors or the like, hinges i and notches 6, instead of being located at the positions illustrated in the drawings, may be placed so as to rota ably join sections i and 2 along their bottom edges 01' bases thereby eliminating protrusion of the lower face of section 2 beyond the front surface of section i when the sections are swung into position for use. This modification is illustrated in Fig. 5. With this arrangement, the entire front face of section i, at all times, presents a fiat surface to which a photograph, mirror or the like, may be appropriately fastened in any well known'manner.

The modifications of the invention shown in Figs. 6'to 8 inclusive, have for their purpose the provision of novel place cards, place card holders or backings for desk calendars or the like manufactured preferably from a flat sheet of any inexpensive flexible, resilient material such as heavy paper, cardboard, plastic, light sheet metal or the like. Any suitable material which is capable of being die-punched or otherwise readily cut, scored and folded may be used.

With the devices illustrated, inexpensive, sturdy, pleasing paper name card devices are provided which may be conveniently packaged flat for sale by novelty manufacturers for one time home, club or restaurant use, or, when fabricated of the more durable materials, may be used repeatedly.

Referring now to Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, a fiat sheet I of any inexpensive, flexible, slightly resilient material such as is suggested above is diepunched or otherwise out along the lines indicated by the solid lines in those figures to form av frame section l, a base section 2 and a prop section 3'.

Lines of scoring, indicated by the dotted lines 4 and 5 in the figures, constitute effective hinging' means to permit bending and folding the aforesaid sections, along the lines of scoring, so that they may be placed in proper relative positions for the intended use of the device. An additional line of scoring 1 is provided in Fig. 7 for a purpose which later will be described.

When it is desired to use the devices of Figs. 6 and '7, base sections 2 are bent back on their hinges 4', away from frame section l. Support sections 3' are then bent upwardly on their hinges 5 and their free ends are permitted to spring toward and frictionally bear against the upper back surface of frame sections l where, because of the nature of the material from which the devices are fabricated, the sections will take a sufiicient set and will remain in their extended positions until they are manually removed therefrom.

In Fig. 7, an additional line of scoring or hinging 1 is provided so that a shelf section 6 may be formed with section by bending said section 6 forward and upward.

In Fig. 8, the lines of scoring or hinging f, instead of being located at the base of section 2 as was the case with the devices of Figs. 6 and 7, are located near the base of section i. In setting the Fig. 8 device up for use, when base sec tion 2 is bent back on the hinges 5, its lower portion 6' is brought forward coplanar with section 2 until it forms a shelf with frame section I. To complete setting the device up for use in extended position, prop section 3' is arranged in the same juxtaposition with respect to frame and base sections 5 and 2 respectively. as was described with respect to section 3' in Figs. 6 and 7.

When any of the constructions shown in Figs. 6 to 8' inclusive are to be utilized as a place marker, if the material used lends itself to such procedure, a name may be written at any appropriate place on the front surface of section I, or a card bearing the name may be afiixed thereto in any Well known manner, such as by stapling, gluing or otherwise. Alternatively, the arrangements shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are such that a separate card bearing a name may be removably placed on a shelf or ledge 6 instead of writing the name on the frame section or on a card afiixed thereto.

If the constructions illustrated are to be utilized as a backing for calendars or the like, such material may be afiixed to the fiat front surface of frame section I in any well known manner.

It is to be understood that while the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown as comprising a generally rectangular outer section having two'substantially triangular center sections, one within the other, various modifications in the form of one or more of the sections and in the manner of joining them to gether, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A unitary, collapsible display rack comprising a first, outer section having an opening therein, a second section having a triangular opening therein and adapted to fit substantially flush within said first opening when said rack is collapsed, a third, triangular section adapted tofit substantially flush within said second opening when said rack is collapsed, first hinges rotatably joining said second section to said first section near their bases, second hinges rotatably joining said third section, near its apex, to said second section, means including said first hinges to permit swinging of said second section within 7 said first opening to form a shelf with said first section, said second hinges and said third section forming a support for said rack, and means for locking said sections together in a common plane or at various angles with respect to each other.

2. A unitary, collapsible'display rack comprising a first, rectangular, outer section having a triangular opening therein, a second section having a triangular opening therein and adapted to fit substantially fiush within said first opening when said rack is collapsed, a third, triangular section adapted to fit substantially flush within said second opening when said rack is collapsed, first hinges joining said first and second sections together near their bases, second hinges joining said third section, near its apex, to said second section, pins extending down from the lower edge of said third section and adapted to be inserted into slots near the bottom of said second section, when said sections are disposed in a common plane, and adapted to be inserted into holes on the upper, central, back surface of said first section, when said sections are disposed at an angle to each other, a detent extending down from an edge of said first section into said first opening and adapted to engage a socket in the apex of said second section, when said sections are disposed in a common plane, a detent extending up from an edge of said second section into said second opening and adapted to engage a socket in the lower edge of said third section, when said sections are disposed in a common plane, means including the location of said first hinges to permit swinging of said second section within said first opening to provide a shelf, said second hinges and said third section forming a support for said rack and means, including said pins, slots, detents and sockets, for locking said sections together in a common plane or at various angles with respect to each other.

3. A collapsible easel for photographs, mirrors or the like, comprising a frame section having an opening therein and adapted to have a photograph,mirror or the like secured to the front a face thereof, a base section having an opening therein and adapted to fit substantially flush within said first opening when said easel is collapsed, a prop section adapted to fit substantially flush within said second opening when said easel is collapsed, first hinges rotatably joining said base and frame sections at their bases, second hinges rotatably joining said base section to said prop section near the upper end of the latter, means including the location of said first hinges to permit swinging of said base section within said first opening to form a base for said frame section, said second hinges and said prop section forming a support for said easel, and means for locking said sections together in a common plane or at Various angles with respect to each other.

4. A collapsible easel for photographs, mirrors or the like, comprising a frame section having an opening therein and adapted to have a photograph, mirror or the like secured to the front face thereof, a base section having a triangular opening therein and adapted to fit substantially flush within said first opening when said easel is collapsed, a triangular prop section adapted to fit substantially flush within said second opening when said easel is collapsed, first hinges rotatably joining said base and frame sections at their bases, second hinges rotatably joining said base section to said prop section near the apex of the latter, means including the location of said first hinges to permit swinging of said base section Within said first opening to form a base for said frame section, said second hinges and said prop section forming a support for said easel, and means for locking said sections together in a common plane or at various angles with respect to each other.

5. A collapsible display device comprising a first section having a first opening therein, a second section having a second opening therein and adapted to fit substantially flush within said first opening and to form a common base with said first section when said device is collapsed, hinges rotatably joining said first and second sections on an axis of rotation, said axis being located a short distance above said common base, means including said hinges whereby said second section may be swung within said first opening so that the front surface area of said second section below its axis of rotation forms a shelf with respect to said first section, and. a third section including locking means, said third section being adapted to fit substantially fiush within said second opening when said device is collapsed, and rotatably joined to said second section for retaining said first and second sections in locked relationship when said device is uncollapsed.

6. A collapsible display device comprising a first section having a first triangular opening therein, a second section of triangular shape having a second triangular opening therein and adapted to fit substantially flush within said first opening and to form a common base with said first section when said device is collapsed, hinges rotatably joining said first and second sections on an axis of rotation, said axis being located a short distance above said common base, means including said hinges whereby said second section may be swung within said first opening so that the front surface area of said second section below its axis of rotation forms a shelf with respect to said first section, and a third section of triangular shape including locking means, said third section being adapted to fit substantially flush within said second openins when said device is collapsed, and hinged near its apex to said second section for retaining said first and second sections in locked relationship when said device is uncollapsed.

7. A collapsible and extendable display device comprising in collapsed position a frame part, a base part positioned within said frame part, and a prop part positioned within said base part, said prop part being severed from said base part on all sides except one at which it is effectively hinged to said base part, said base part being severed from said frame part on all sides except one at which it is effectively hinged to said frame part, and the hinged side of said prop part being positioned near the side of said base part which is substantially opposite the hinged side of said base part, whereby when said prop and base parts are swung away from each other on their respective hinges, the free end of said prop part and said frame part may be frictionally engaged to maintain said device in various extended positions.

8. A unitary, collapsible display rack comprising a first, outer section having an opening therein, a second section having an opening therein and adapted to fit substantially flush within said first opening when said rack is collapsed, a third section adapted to fit substantially flush within said second opening when said rack is collapsed, hinges rotatably joining said second section to said first section and said third section to said second section, the free end of said third section being wider than its hinged end, means including said hinges to permit swinging of said second and third sections within said openings to form, respectively, a shelf and a support for said rack and means for locking said sections together in a common plane and at an angle with respect to each other, with the free end of said third section spanning the opening in said section and bearing symmetrically against the back of said first section on either side of said opening.

9. A unitary, collapsible display rack 00.1 prising a first, outer section having an opening therein, a second section having a triangular opening therein and adapted to fit substantially flush within said first opening when said rack is collapsed, a third, triangular section adapted to fit substantially flush within said second opening when said rack is collapsed, hinges rotatabiy joining said second section to said first section and said third section to said second section, the free end of said third section being Wider than its hinged end, means including the hinges in said first section to permit swinging of said second section in said first opening to form a shelf with said first section, means including the balance of said hinges to permit swinging of said third section in said second opening to form a support for said rack, and means for locking said sections 7 together in a common plane and at an angle with respect to each other, with the free end of said third section spanning the opening in said first section and bearing symmetrically against the back of said first section, on either side of said opening.

10. A unitary, collapsible stand comprising a frame section having an opening therein, a shelf section having a triangular opening therein and adapted to fit substantially fiush within said first opening when said stand is collapsed, an easelsupport section adapted to fit substantially flush Within said second opening when said stand is collapsed, hinges rotatably joining said shelf section to said frame section and said easel-support section to said shelf section, the free end of said support section being wider than its hinged end, means including said hinges inwardly cf the end of said shelf section to permit swinging of said shelf and easel-support sections within said openings to form, respectively, a shelf and a support for said rack and means for looking said sections together in a common plane and at an angle with respect to each other, with the free end of said support section spanning the opening in said frame section and bearing symmetrically against the back of said frame section on either side of said opening.

11. A unitary, collapsible stand comprising a rectangular frame section having an opening therein, a shelf section having a triangular opening therein and adapted to fit substantially flush within said first opening when said stand is collapsed, a triangular asel-support section adapted to fit substantially flush within said second opening when said stand is collapsed, hinges rotatably joining said easel-support section to said frame section near their bases and said easel-support section, near its apex, to said shelf section, the

free end of said support section being wider than its hinged end, means including the hinges in said frame section to permit swinging of said shelf section in said first opening to form a shelf with said frame section, means including the remainder of said hinges to permit swinging of said easel-support section within said second opening to form a support for said stand and means for lockin said sections together in a common plan and at an angle with respect to each other, with the free end of said support section spanning the opening in said frame section and bearing symmetrically against the back of said frame section, on either side of said opening.

12. A collapsible and eX-tendable display device comprising a fratne part having an opening therein, a base part of a size and shape to be received the openin of the frame part and having an opening therein, and a prop part of a shape to be received in the opening in the part, the base part being hinged to said ire-x1e part and the prop part being hinged to the base part, the respective hinges being at opposite ends of said base part, the free end of the prop part being wider than its hinged end and wider than the opening in the frame part remote from when the prop part is hinged to the part, said base and prop parts being adapted to he so positioned with respect to said frame l; in extended position that said three -s may be maintained at various angles with pact to each other with the Wider free end of the prop part spanning the opening in the frame part remote from Where the prop part is od to the base part and bearing symmetrically net the back of said frame part at each side of the opening in said frame part.

13. A stand in accordance with claim 10 wherein the portion of said shelf section between its own base and the base of the triangular opening therein is provided with longitudinal grooves, the hinges joining said shelf and said frame sections being located on the apex ,of said grooves.

i l. A stand in accordance with claim 11 where in the portion of said shelf section between its own base and the base of the triangle opening therein is provided with longitudinal grooves, the hinges joining said shelf and said frame sections being located on the apex side of said grooves.

LOUIS J. LEVINSON. ALFRED SHEBEL.

Name Date Barnes Dec. l l, 1833 Number 

